Roland R-70

[Pier Calacino]

Hello folks,

After taking some advice from this post I picked up the Roland R-70. It sounds fantastik to me and I believe it will serve me well.

1.) Now, being a first time user of a drum machine, what are the 808 and 909 sounds that allmost everyone talks about and are also mentioned in the manual. Are they rolands other popular drum machines/sounds ?

2.) Any tips, tricks on the R-70 that would be helpfull. I would sure like to hear about them.

Thanks so much !!
Pier

 

[mikeh]

808 & 909 Sounds

The 808 and 909 were two of Roland's early drum machines. They generated analog sounds that did not actually sound like drums (not like the digital samples now available in machines, on CD Rom etc.). In fact, by todays standards they sound terrible. However, everything eventually becomes retro - and retro becomes cool. A few years ago, used 808/909 units were selling for as much or more than when they were new. Now you can find the sounds on other Roland gear (other companies are also making analog synths/drum machines)

The 808 and 909 sounds are very popular in rap, hip-hop and various industrial type material. I suspect you've heard the sounds dozens of times in recorded material, you maybe didn't know what the sound source was.